Method of making connecting-rods



H. B. vLAYMAN.

METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.24, !9l6.

Patented May 17, 1921.

TSHEETS-SHEET 1 QM 7NVENTOR H: ZJITNFSSES: I

' H. B. LAYMAN.

METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS.

APPLICATION FILED APR--24, 1916.

- Patentd May 17,1921.

'7 SHEETS-SNEET 2.

' INVENTOR.

ZZZ;

WITNESSES:

H. B. LAYMAN. METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-24. 1916.

Patented May 17, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR. m

I WITNESSES; a it H-. 5. LAY AN." METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RIJDS.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 24, I9I6.

Patented May 17, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET Qbx INVENTOR.

WITNESSES: /& J.

ywmy

H. B. LAYMAN.

METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS- APPLICATION FIL ED APR.24,1916.

Patented May 17, 1921.

7SHEETSSHEET 5.

MNQH

2 Z a9 INVENTOR.

WITNESSES: 7% v H. B. LAYMAN.

METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS.

APPLICATION FILED APR-24. 1916.

1,378,690, Patented May 17, 1921.

1 SHEETSSHEET 5.

WITNESSES:

H. 8. LAYMAN.

METHOD OF MAKING CONNECTING RODS.

APPLICATION HLED APR,24, 1916.

' 1,378,690. Pmma My 17,1921.

.45. g g/14. E54

INVENTOR. WITNESSES: Jil, fimw 5'2 MM,

UNITED, STATES PATENT, oFFlcE.

HEBRON BERHARD.LAYMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TOJTHE LAYMAN PRESSED ROD GQMPANY, INQ, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF MAKINGOONNECTING-RODS.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented May 17,

A Application filed April 24, 1916. Serial K0,. 93,052.

York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements "in Methods of .Making Connecting-Bods, of which the following-is a specification, such as will enable those skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

' This invention relates to the manufacture of connecting rods, and the object thereof is to'simplify their construction, to make the rods lighter and cheaper, and of uniform weight, without interferingwith their efii-o ciency, and with this and other objects in view, the invention consists of a new process of making connecting rods from relatively thin material, and relates particularly to rods having one-piece sheet metal shells or bodies, and more specifically in fashioning said rod shells jointless and edgeless in tubular form from a single piece ofmetal.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, in which the separate parts are indicated by similar ref-. by way of example only- Figure 1 is an edge view of a disk of sheet metal, preferably steel, from which, according to my process, the rod body or shell,-independent of the cap, is formed;

Fig. 2 1s a view indicating five separate steps in forming the rod body or shell from the disk shown in Fig. 1, part of the separate members of Fig. 2 being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the three first steps of a process which is carried out by substituting a tube open at both ends for the disk shown in Fig. 1; v

4 is a side view of a part of the last element shown in Fig. 3, and shows an additional step of the process, which consists in closing the upper end of the shank of the last element shown in Fig. 3. This laststep makes Fig. 3 correspond with the same element shown in Fig. 2; h

Fig. 5 18 a view of the last element shown in Fig.1 2, and showing the next step of the process, ameter of the shank portion and thereby elongating and thinning it and partially which consists in reducing the di-- forming the piston head portionof therod body orshell at the upper end of the shank;

Fig. 6 a view similar to Fig; 5, but showing anotherstep in forming the crank head ing still another step in the .formation of the piston head portion.

Fig. 11 a view'simllar to Fig. 8-, but showend of the rodbody or shell and also show 6 ing the end View;

7 a View similar to Fig. 6, but showing only the crank headend of the rod body or shell and showing an additional step in the making, of said portion; V

Fig. 12 a view similar to Fig. 11 of the crank head portion of the rod or shell and showing yet another step, in its formation,

l and also showing an end view thereof;

Fig. 13 a side view partly in longitudinal section, and showing the completed rod comprising jointless, edgeless, one-piece I sheet-metal rod body or shell, and bearing sleeves, bolt boss reinforcements, shank reinforcements and the like, which parts are particularly referred to hereafter.

Fig. 14 is a view at right angle to that of Fig. 13, and partly'in section;

Figs. 14 14 14 14 are sectional views of the piston head portion of the rod, and showing modifications; h

Fig. 14 is a sectional side view showing a modification of the crank head portion of the rod shown in Fig. 14:;

' Fig. 14? .isan endview of the rod as shown "in Fig. 14?; 1 q p Figs. 15 and 16 are partly-sectioned side views andend views of the crank head portion of the rod, showing the bolt bosses through which are passed bolts to hold a cap in place; h

igs. 1 to 16 inclusive, here nbefore described, are intended to illustrateth'e process which I employ for making a connecting rod, independent of its cap, or a connecting rod in connection with which a cap made 111 carried one step farther by reducing and lengthening the shank thereof;

Fig. 18 aview similar to Fig.17, but showing a further step in the process of forming a rod or shell andits. cap;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are views similar r igs. 17 and 18, but showing additional steps or the process Fig. 22 is a view showing a step of the process in addition to that shown in Fig. 21, and being partially in lengitudinal section;

Fig. 28 a View similar to Fig. 22, but at ri 'ht angle thereto;

*ig. 24. a view similar to Fig. 22, showing the complete rod partially in longitudinal section, and showing the cap severed from the rod body or shell; I

Fig. 25 a view similar to Fig. 2 1-, but at right angles thereto; v r i Figs. 26 and 27 are modificationsof the forms shown in Figs. 22 and 23, one being at right angle to the other;

Fig. 28 a view similar to Fig. 27, but showing an additional step in the process;

Fig. 29 is a sectional View at right angle to Fig. 28, but showing another step in the process;

Fig. 30 a view similar to Fig. 29 but showing a modification;

Figs. 31 and 32 are detailed views showinga modification of the crank end of the rod, and showing the same partly in section, one of said views being at'a right angle to i the other Fig. is a view similar to Fig. 31, but showing another modification;

Figs. 34 and 35 are part-sectional views of a rod made according to the second part of my improved process, and in which the crank end is of complete circular form, and from which it is not intended that a cap should be out;

Figs. 36 to 44 inclusive are cross sectional views showing modified forms of the shank portion of the rod body or shell.

Further explaining the drawings Fig. 1 shows a sheet metal blank approximately circular;

In Fig. 2

2 is acup drawn from a blank 2 is a deeper cup, the result the cup 2;

Fig. 1; of re-drawing 2 is a still deeper cup, the result of a second re-drawing operation.

While I here show three drawing operations to produce the cup 2, I do so by way of example only. As is well known, in working sheet metal, the kind andthickness of material, and its ductility or temper, are all factors which cocperate to determine the number of drawing operations required to produce a cup of given depth and diameter.

. 2' is a two-diameter cup produced by swaging or re-drawingthe cup 2 for part of its length;

2 is the cup 2 with the portion of smaller diameter further reduced, thereby elongating it; also the closed end of the cup is shown well rounded out. From this cup 2 the connect ng rod body or shell will be formed, the portion of large diameter Wlll be used to form the crank head-end, the

smaller diameter portion to form the shank,

and the material in the region of the closed end will form the piston-pin head-end.

As previously stated in the operation of my improved process of making a connecting rod body or shell, I may use a piece of material in the form of a tube in substitution for the sheet metal blank of Fig. 1; so

In Fig. 3-

3 shows a length of tubing, containing an amount of material approximately equal to that in the blank of Fig. 1;

3 is the tube 3 reduced in diameter for a part of its length and thereby elongated. This may be accomplished by swaging or by forming in closing-dies; or other desired manner;

8 is the two diameter shell 3" with the smaller-diameter portion further reduced and elongated;

In Fig.

8 is a part of the two-diameter shell 3, showing the end closed over. This may be accomplished in a swaging or hammering machine, or by closing dies in a press, or in any other desirable manner, and when hot or cold.

The two-diameter shell produced in this manner is the counterpart of the twodiameter cup 2 of Fig. 2.

At this time itshould be clear that the reducing operations performed on the cup of Fig. 2 or the shell of Fig. 3 may produce a wall of uniform thickness throughout the length of the cup or shell and that by the hammering or swaging and reducing already referred to, I may produce a wall .of tapering or varying thickness, but by restraining the elongation of the cup or shell, I may cause the wall of the reduced portion to. be thicker at will, that is, for example, thicker in places than was the original sheet metal blank or tube. It should also be clear that I may fashion the cup ;or the shell with either the largerdiameter portion or the smaller-diameter portion, or both, oval or round, or in any other suitable form, In these two Figs. 2

' ner.

and 8, however, both the larger diameter portion and the smaller portion are circular in cross section.

In Fig. 5 the smaller diameter portion of the cup 2* of Fig. 2, or the shell 3 of Fig. 4 is further reduced in diameter and elongated, except in the region immediately adjacent to the closed end. This portion is now approximately spherical although of substantially the same diameter as it was before this reducing operation.

The spherical portion 5 will form the piston pin head end, the portion 5 of reduced diameter will form the tubular shank, and the larger end portion 5 will form the crank head end of the rod body or shell, including the bolt bosses which cooperate to'retain a cap in place.

Fig. 6 shows the rod body after the last reducing operation has been performed upon it, and, comparing it with the preceding figure, it will be seen that the shank portion has been reduced in diameter and is further elongated. r

Fig. 7 shows the next step in the process, which is one of flattening.

It will be noticed that the cross section of the shank shows an oval as distinguished from the circular section of the shank 5 in Fig. 6. g

This is also true of the larger end portion 5, as clearly shown in the end view.

Fig. 8 shows the rod body or'shell finally flattened,"and with the corners of'the bolt boss portion 5 finally shaped. In the end view of Fig. 8 itwill be observed that the portions 5 are semi-cylindrical inform.

In Fig. 9 is shown another step in the process, and this is the cutting of the hole 5 in the piston pin head portion 5 In Fig. 10 the metal immediately adjacent to the hole 5 of Fig 9 is turned at right angle to its normal plane into an outwardly extending cuff o Both the side walls forming the piston head portion 5 are provided with cuffs, and these together form a piston pin boss, adapted to receive a piston pin, or

to receive a bearing which in turn admits the piston pm.

In Fig. 11, 5 is a hole that has been punched in the wall of the crankhead end of the rod body or shell, and

In Fig. 12 the metal adjacent to this hole is shown turned outward to form a cuff 5",

which cooperates to form the crank pin boss.

After this step, theexposed edges of the rod body are trimmed in any desirable manjointless, edgeless, tubular rod body or shell,

produced by the operations previously re- 'ferred to.

n will be noted that in the pistonpin boss me by perturein t e head p reinforcing members 5 and 5.

andl l is shown the complete 5 and the extending cuffs 5, is fitted the lining bushing 5 and two flanged bushings 5 abutting at the center line of the rod. The flanges of these bushings serve to reinforce the piston pin boss against distortion in service, and they also effectually radiate the heat generated in the piston pin bearing.

Within the shank portion 5 and of like conformation, is a shank reinforcing member '5 which member unites the lining bushing 5 to the shank portion of the rod body or shell, and adequately increases the area of contact of this bushing.

At the crank head end and in the crank shaft aperture, is fitted a lining bushing 5" and flanged bushings 5. These together with the extending cuffs 5 of the rod body or shell, form a crank pin boss.

5 is a shank reinforcing member for the crank head end.

- Within each bolt boss 5 is a flanged reinforcing bushing 5 provided with a lipped seat at one end to restrain the head of the bolt from turning. i

In practice I prefer to first assemble into the rod body or shell the piston-end shankreinforcing member 5 and the liner bushing 5 then I prefer to spot-weld the two together. After this I assemble the flanged liner bushings and when properly located I spot-weld them lightly to tack them in place.

Having first spot-welded the crank end shank reinforcing member 6 and the lining bushing 5, I assemble these in place, then fitthe flanged bushings 5 and lightly spotweld these to'the cuffs 5 of therod body or 'metals. This completely fills the crevices and interstices betweenthe several bushings, and between the bushings and the rod body, but it is obvious that I might substitute for brazing a tinning process, or another fusing or welding process, or unite the several parts in any of the well known manners.

At this point it should be noticed that I do not confine myself to making the rod body or shell of any particular material, nor do I limit myself to the length of the shank These two members-may be made of a single piece, or

when made of two pieces as shown, their length may be so extended that they will abut. 1

WVhen this is done I have a substantial column for transmitting the load of the pis ton pin to the crankpin, and therefore I may form the rod body or shell of a very different kind of material from thatcomposing the shank reinforcing membersfor example, of non-ferrous metal such as brass In F ig. 14 a modification of the piston pin boss is shown, in which only a single comparatively heavy lining bushing 5 is used.

In Fig. l l another modification of boss construction is shown, in which two similar flanged bushings 5 cooperate to compose the piston pin boss.

In Fig. 14 it will be observed that the piston head portion 5 of the rod body or shell is made without the extending cuffs 5 of the immediately preceding figures, and that the boss is formed of an aperture in each of the side walls and the single lining bushing 5.

In Fig. 14? is shown the construction of 14 but with the addition of a sheet metal cuff 5 tted at each end of the lining bushing 5 and outside thereof. These cuffs have two radial flanges on each, one of each of which is united to the side wall of the piston head portion 5.

In Figs. 14 and 14E a modification of crank pin boss construction is shown, in which 5 are flanged cuffs, corresponding to the cuffs 5 of Fig. 14

In ig. 15 is shown a modification of the crank head end, and hasparticular reference to the construction of the bolt bosses referred to as 5 in the previous figures. It will be noticed here that the rod body or shell has a substantially cylindrical depression 5 formed at each side of the crank pin aperture, and to the rod body is joined formed members 5" which cooperate with the depressions 5 to form bolt bosses.

In Fig. 16 the bolt boss construction at the crank head end is formed alone by the depressions 5 and the liner bushing 5 These are welded or brazed, or otherwise united together.

As previously stated, all the figures hereinbefore referred to in particular detail, rclate to the process which I employ for making a connecting rod independent of its cap, or a connecting rod for which a cap is to be provided, and the cap may, itself, be made in any way by any construction and of any material.

But in the figures following immediately hereafter, I describe in detail my improved process as applied to making a'connecting rod when both the rod body and its cap are fashioned from a single piece or element of relatively thin material.

Fig. 17 is a side view of the rod body or abut at the center of the rod.

shell, similar to that shown in Fig. 6, which is obtained by proceeding one step farther in reducing and elongating the shank portion of the rod body of Fig. 5. The piston head portion is here denoted by the symbol 15", the tubular shank portion as 15 and the crank head portion as 15. In Fig. 5 the same parts of the rod body are denoted by the characters 5, 5 and 5 respectively.

Fig. 18, another step in the process, shows the closing in of the end of the crank head portion, and the formation of a tubular neck portion 15 of relatively small'diameter from the single piece of material composing the rod body or shell.

In Fig. 19 is shown the next step, which consists in flattening the rod body to obtain the oval shank when this is desired.

In Fig. 20 is shown a further progression of the flattening process.

In Fig. 21 the rod body or shell is shown finally flattened.

In Figs. 22 and 23 the rod body is shown after the accomplishment of the next step in my improved process. This step consists in fashioning the material in the piston head end to form a piston pin boss 15", and also fashioning material in thecrank head end to form a crank pin boss 15 and also in filling out the corners of the bolt bosses 15 in the regions marked 15*. I may accomplish this with dies, but I prefer to perform a this operation by filling the piece with fluid.

and operating a plunger through the open-- ing in the neck 15 after having located the piece in a suitable die.

In Figs. 24 and 25 the finished rod body or shell is shown with the ends on the piston pin boss 15 cut away, as also the ends of the crank pi'nboss 15; also the surplus end of the neck 15 is cut off and the rod body or shell is separated through the crank pin boss to form a cap. The piston pin boss 15' is provided with a liner bushing 15 and two flanged bushings 15 which'abut at the center of the rod. Within the shank, and of substantially similar conformation, is a reinforcing member 15 which further unites the bushings in the piston pin boss to the shank portion 15 of the rod body. This member is especially effective in increasing the ability of the rod to withstand tension.

lVithin the crank'pin boss is a liner bushing 15" and two flanged bushings 15 which IVithin the shank and united to the bushing 15 is a reinforcing member 15". It will be observed that this member abuts with the other shank reinforcing member 15, and that they together form an adequate column for transmitting the load of the piston pin to the crank pin.

Within this bolt boss 15 is fitted a liner bushing 15 In practice I may first cut the cap from the rod body or shell, then assemble into said rod body or shell the reinforcement 15 and the piston pin boss liner bushing 15 and lightly spot-weld these together and in place. Then I assemble the bushings 15 into liner 15 and spot weld these in place.

Having previously spot-weldedv the liner bushing 15 to the reinforcing member 15, I assemble these together in place in the rod body or shell and spot-weld them thereto to hold them in place. Then Iassemble the flanged bushings 15 and the bolt boss bushings 15 and spot-weld these to the rod body or shell. After this I prefer to braze the rod by immersing the ends in a suitable flux and spelter or other molten metal or alloys. Similarly I assemble the bushings in the cap portion of the rod, and weld and braze them. After this the rod andcap are finished with any desired degree of accuracyby machining or grinding or broaching, or as otherwise may be desired.

In Figs. 26 and 27 I show the appearance of the rod body or shell after the operations shown in Figs. 22 and 23 are performed upon it, but without the bosses 15 and 15 of Figs. 22 and '23 formed upon it. The bolt bosses 15 however, are formed.

In Fig. 28 the rod body or shell of Fig.

27 isshown with the next step performed upon it, which is one step in an alternative manner of forming the desired piston 'pin and crank pin bosses. It consists in forming holes 15 and 15 in the end portions of the shell. These areafterward spread to form extended cuffs, which are shown at 15 and 15 in Fig. 29. This shell may then have the reinforcements and bushings of Fig. 24 assembled in the manner already explained.

In Fig. 30 I show yet another manner of forming the piston pin and crank pin bosses. Holes similar to but larger than the holes 15 and 15 are made in the walls of'the piston pin end 15* and the crank pin end 15, a and fitted with liner bushings 15 and 15 respectively. In addition, at the piston pin end, flanged cuffs 15 further unite the liner bushing to the rod body. A similar construction is shown at the crank pin end, in which the flanged cuffs are designated 15 It will be observed that the cap is not yet cut from the rod body or shell. With this construction the bushings and the like may be assembled in the rod, secured in place, and finish machined, and lastly the cap cut I from the rod.

In Figs. 31 and 32 the shank portion 31 of the rod has an integral cylindrical head 31 and a neck portion 31 of reduced di- At each side of the cylindrical crank shaft 31 is shown fitted with detachable pressed metal supplementary caps, 31 which cooperate with the U-shaped clamps. The linbushing 31 in the crank end is similar to the bushing 15 of Fig. 30.

In Fig. 33 I show another modified form of a crank head of a connecting rod produced by my improved process. It will be seen here that the shank 33 has integral crank head 33, from which a cap is cut. The bolt bosses of the rod are provided with lining bushings 33 which are threaded for a part of their length to receive a stud or cap-screw, and for another part of its length "their inner diameters are enlarged to receive a thimble, not here shown, by means of which the cap is alined. It will be seen that the bolt boss bushing 33 in the cap is provided with a flanged seat to acconnnodate the head of the bolt or the nut of the stud and that the bolt bosses of the rod portion have blind ends. The shank renforcing member 33 is extended to join with the rod body or shell to form a bolt boss.

In Figs. 34: and 35 is shown another modification of the connectingrod produced according to my improved process. It will be observed that this rod is greatly similar to that in Figs. 31 and 32, and that it is provided with the shank reinforcing member 35 and 35 I For simplicity sake, I have shown the rods of all the earlier figuresas having shank portions which are substantially oval in ,crosssection and of uniform wall-thickness,

but I am not limited to such a form, and in Figs. 36 to 1 1 inclusive I show nine forms of'shank which I may use. I

In Fig. 36 is shown an I section shank of closed form. Through the steps previously explained, a circular or oval section shank is derived and then this is closed in suitable dies or between channeling rollers to the form shown; I In Fig. 37 is substantially a rectangular cross section shank. This may be obtained by reshaping the cylindrical shank derived from the steps of the process previously explained, or it may be produced in the first instance with suitable drawing punch and die.

. In Fig. 38 the rectangular cross section shank of Fig. 37 is shown with a depression" or rib 38 formed in each side wall. VVithout the addition of such ribs or corrugations, I or their equivalent, relatively large areas of sheet metal cannot be used under compression. WVithin the shank are two smaller reinforcing members 38 which are united thereto by ribs 38 and flanges 38 of the reinforcing members. These members cooperate to form the cylindrical aperture 38, by means of which oil may be fed from a hollow crank pin to the piston pin. This feature is described and claimed by me in my co-pending application, Serial No. 86,361, filed March 24th, 1916.

In Fig. 39 an oval cross section shank is shown with an S section reinforcement.

In Fig. 4L0 a dumb-bell section shank is shown with a simple reinforcing piece.

In Fig. a1 a modified dumb-bell section is shown, which has a central passage by which oil may be fed under pressure to the piston In Fig. 42 a rectangular cross section shank is shown, having a number of corrugations formed in its walls, to give it per I manent set and enable it to withstand heavy compression.

In Fig. 43 the oval cross section shank is shown of the rods of Figs. 13 and 24.

In Fig. 4a is shown a rectangular cross section shank, having two reinforcing members, which together form a central rib of great rigidity. Especially do such reinforcing members make it possible to use a rod body of some lighter material than steelsuch as for instance, aluminum or like material. Such a structure was described and broadly claimed by me in my co-pending application, Serial No. 159,398, filed April 3rd, 1917.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it will be clear that by this process I produce a connecting rod from thin sheet metal, or from a relatively thin piece of suitable material having a onepiece, seamless, edgeless, jointless, hollow shell, the wall of which is of uniform thickness, or of varying gage, as I choose, and that this rod is of extreme lightness and cheap to produce; that it requires very little, if any, machining, and that these rods will be of uniform weight, and of great strength and ductility.

In connection with Figs. 2 and 3, I stated that the two-diameter cup 2 or the two-diameter shell 3 is formed from a single piece of material. It is obvious that I may use two pieces of tubing and butt weld these together, or join them in any other practical manner, and produce a substitute for the cup 2 or the shell. 3, and that within the scope of the appended claims, a cup or shell so produced will be a single element, or a one-piece two-diameter cup or shell.

By connecting rod shell it will be understood that I mean the shank portion of the rod with one or both end portions integral therewith, not including such parts, as bearing sleeves, bolt boss reinforcements, shank reinforcing members, &c.

The article shown in the accompanying drawings is claimed broadly by me in United States Letters Patent, No. 1,260,577, issued March 26th, 1918, and certain modifications thereof were disclosed and claimed specificall by me in my co-pending applications Serial No. 88989, filed April 5th, 1916, and Serial Nos. 22 L758, 2%,759 and 224,760, filed March 26th, 1918.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The process of forming a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning the said shell in tubular form from a single piece of relatively thin material and then separating the shell through one end to form a cap.

2. The process of forming a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning the said shell in tubular form from a single piece of relatively thin material, and then forming part of the piston head portion of the same material.

3. The process of forming a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning the said shell in tubular form from a single piece of relatively thin material, then forming part of the crank head portion of the same material and then separating the crank head portion therethrough to form a cap.

4. The process of forming a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning the shank portion of said rod in tubular form from a single piece of relatively thin material, and then providing said shank porportion from the same a way as to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless shank portion, and concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the shell,- and thereafter finishing the said ends.

'7. The process of makingaconnecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material to form a rod shell, having a jointless longitudinally edgeless shank portion, a part of one end portion integral therewith, and providing another end portion for said shank.

8. The process of forming a connecting rod shell which consists in fashioning a twodiameter tube of relatively thin material into the approximate shape of the finished shell, and concomitantly therewith fashioning a shell portion of the connecting rod from a single piece of relatively thin material, which consists in fashioning said material to form a two-diameter tube, and fashioning said tube to form the shank and one head portion of the rod, and providing another head portion for said rod.

10. The herein described process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material into the approximate form and length of the shank portion, and fashioning integrally therewith a hollow crank shaft head end for the said shell.

11. The process of forming a connecting rod or shell body of a single piece of relatively thin material, which consists in suitably fashioning the piece to theapproximate shape of the finished shell, and then separating it through one end portion to form a cap.

12. The process of forming a connecting rod shell, which consists in suitably fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material 7 to form a connecting rod shell body, then providing one end thereof with a boss, and separating the piece through the boss to form a cap.

13. The process of forming a connecting rod from a single piece of relatively thin material, which consists in forming a twodiameter tube from said material, and fashioning said tube to form the shank portion of the rod and a head portion, and dividing said head portion to form a cap.

14:. The process of forming a connecting rod which consists in forming a two-diameter tube from relatively thin material, and fashioning said tube to form the shank portion of the rod and a head portion, and dividing said head portion to form a cap, and providing another head portion for said rod.

15. The method of making connecting rod bodies or shells which consists in shaping a single piece of relatively thin material first into tubular jointless form and thereby approximating the final shape of the shell, and thereafter shaping the ends of the previously fashioned approximately shaped shell to complete the shaping of the ends of the said shell.

16. The method of making connecting rod bodies or shells which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material into a tubular jointless form to shape the shank portion of the rod, concomitantly shaping the approximate form of the ends of the shell, and then finishing the shaping a of the ends of the shell.

17 The method of making connecting rod bodies or shells which consists in fashioning a piece of relatively thin material into a tube for the shank portion and uniting said reinproximate form of the ends of the rod, then shank portion having integral therewith to approximate the shape of the-shank portion of the rod, concomitantly fashioning hollow ends of the shell into the approximate shape of the piston and crank ends of the shell, finishing the shaping of the said ends, and then fashioning the said ends to receive a piston pin and a crank pin.

18. The method of making connection rod bodies which consists in fashioning a piece of relatively thin material in such a way as to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless shank portion, concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the shell, then finishing the shaping of the ends of the shell, and then reinforcing the shank portion.

19. The method of making connecting rod bodies which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material in such a way as to form a jointless longltudinally edgeless shank portion, concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the rod, then finishing the shaping of-the ends, providing an interior reinforcement forcement to the shank portion. r

20. The herein described method of making connecting rods which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material in such a way as to form a jointlesszg longitudinally edgeless tubular shank portion, concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the rod, then finishing the shaping of the said ends, then fashioning the said shaped ends torreceive a piston pin and a crank pin and then interiorly reinforcing the tubular shank portion.

21. The herein described method of making connecting rods which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material in such a way as to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless tubular shank portion, concomitantly fashioning the apfinishing the shaping of the said ends, then fashioning thesaid shaped ends to receive a piston pin and a crank pin, then interiorly reinforcing the tubular shank portion, and then separating one of the said ends to form a cap.

22. The herein described method of making connecting rods which consists in shaping a piece of relatively thin material to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless jointless hollow end portions approximating the shape of the rod, then completing the shaping of the end portions, then shaping both bosses therein, then fashioning the ends to receive a crank and piston pin, and then reinforcing the shank portion.

23. The herein described method of mak- 1ng connecting rods which consists in shaping a piece of relatively thin material to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless shank portion, concomitantly shaping the said material into the approximate shape of the crank and piston ends of the rod, thereafter finishing the shaping of the said ends, then fashioning the ends to receive a crank and piston pin, and then reinforcing the shank portion adjacent the ends.

at. The process of making connecting rods, which consists in fashioning the rod shell from a single piece of relatively thin material to form a jointless longitudinally edgeless shank portion of the shell, concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the shell, and thereafter suitably reinforcing the said ends to withstand the stresses imparted to the ends by the piston and crank pin.

25. The process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in forming a tube to approximate the shank and one head end of the finished shell, and then providing a second head for said shell.

26. The process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in forming a tube to approximate the shank of the finished shell, and concomitantly providing crank and piston pin head ends for said shell, and thereafter finishing said shell.

27. The process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in forming a twodiameter tube, and fashioning said tube to form the shank and one head portion of the shell, and then providing another head por tion therefor.

28. The process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in forming a twodiameter tube, and then fashioning said tube to form the shank and two integral head portions.

29. The process of making a connecting rod, which consists in building up a load carrying structure of sheet metal parts, providing an outer shell or casing therefor, and welding together or unifying the parts.

30. The process of making a connecting rod, which consists in forming a shell or casing from a single piece of relatively thin material, providing said shell or casing with a load-carrying structure comprising an intermediate or shank member, and unifying the parts to form an integral structure.

31. The process of making a connecting rod shell, which consists in fashioning a single piece of relatively thin material to form a jointless, longitudinally edgeless shank of varying thickness integral with the rod shell, and concomitantly fashioning the approximate form of the ends of the shell.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in presence of the subscribing witnesses this 21st day of April, 1916.

HEBRON BERNARD LAYMAN.

Witnesses M. C. MEYER RONALD F. KNIGHT. 

